The Oyada Maple Valley in Mino City is considered one of the best locations in Gifu to appreciate the beautiful autumn leaves. The viewing of Autumn leaves in Japan is called momijigari (紅葉狩り), and is an annual event in which thousands of people visit locations all over Japan seeking out the best spots to see the spectacular colours. This time of the year almost rivals the famous cherry blossom season in spring and is very beautiful.
Oyada Shrine is surrounded by around 3,000 Japanese maple trees (yama momiji) that set the valley around the shrine ablaze in Autumn with brilliant colours. The area is filled with vermillion reds, apricot oranges and golden yellows of the season. Some of the trees are more than 1000 years old. The contrast between the colourful leaves and the traditional carvings of the shrine is magnificent and make this place a sight not to be missed during the fall season in Japan.
There is also a festival vibe to the area during the season with many local food vendors selling all types of festival food and local Gohei-mochi.
The Oyada Maple Valley was designated a National Natural Monument of Japan in 1930.
The Autumn colours are usually at their best in mid to late November.
Oyada Maple Valley in Mino
The Starting Point at the Entrance to the Shrine
Stone Lantern at Oyada Shrine
The Main Shrine Entrance
Komainu at Oyada Shrine
Autumn Leaves at Oyada Shrine
Food Vendors at Oyada Shrine
More Food Vendors at Oyada Shrine
The Steep path to the Main Shrine at the Top
Autumn Leaves around one of the smaller Shrines
Access:
The valley is tucked away in a rural part of Mino City with parking available for cars. Parking is 300 yen. Public Transportation is also available with buses from Mino Station. Take the Gifu Bus on the Takami Line (高美線) to Oyada Jinja Mae bus stop (大矢田神社前) which is a 30 minute bus ride.
Gujo Hachiman Castle (郡上八幡城) is a mountain castle located on top of Mount Hachiman in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu Prefecture. The original castle was built in 1559 by Endo Morikazu, but torn down during the Meiji Restoration in 1870. The current castle was reconstructed in 1933 and this year 2013 celebrates its 80th anniversary. It is one of the best reconstructed castles in Japan and unlike most of Japan’s modern day reconstructions is not made of concrete but wood, so is more true to its original form. The castle offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains and valleys and the view from the top of the castle is breathtaking. The castle is accessible via car or on foot and is only a short hike of around 15 minutes from the base to the top of Mount Hachiman where the castle is located.
Gujo Hachiman Castle is surrounded by maple trees which make the area really beautiful during the autumn in Japan. It is considered one of the best spots in Gifu Prefecture for momiji or autumn leaf viewing. The white structure of the castle is contrast brilliantly by the fiery red colours of the autumn foliage. The best time to see the colourful leaves is usually early to late November. There is also a night time display where the trees and castle are lit from sunset until 9 pm. This year it ran from November 9 – 17.
There is also a Momiji (Autumn Leaves) Festival that runs from November 2 – 24.
Momiji Festival
Gujo Hachiman Castle
The approach to Gujo Hachiman Castle
Autumn Leaves over the Watch Tower
Momiji at Gujo Hachiman Castle
View from Gujo Hachiman castle
Beautiful Autumn Colours at Gujo Hachiman
YouTube Video:
Access:
You can get to Gujo Hachiman Station on the Nagaragawa line and Mount Hachiman is only a short walk from the town center. The hike to the top of the mountain where Gujo Hachiman Castle is located is about a 15 minute walk. You can also access the castle by car with parking available.
During Autumn in Japan Gifu Park comes alive with red and yellow leaves as well as chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemum or “kiku” in Japanese is one of the flowers that are considered to be an unofficial national flower, the other is the “sakura” or cherry blossom. Japan does not have an official national flower, but the chrysanthemum is used as the official seal of the Japanese Imperial Family.
Every Autumn the Chrysanthemum Flower Show is held at Gifu Park in the center of Gifu City. Gifu Park is located at the foot of Mt Kinka, and is where the samurai warlord Oda Nobunaga made his home on his mission to unify Japan. The Chrysanthemum Flower Show features around 3000 pots of various chrysanthemums that are put on display. They include species such as the “Minogiku” which is known for its multi-coloured pedals and originated here in Gifu, as well as “Yamagiku” and “Ogiku” species.
Chrysanthemums at Gifu Park
Chrysanthemum Flower Display
A cool shape created with Chrysanthemum
There is also a Chrysanthemum Doll Show featuring Oda Nobunaga as well as soldiers guarding the huge door to his magnificent palace. The Chrysanthemum garden is also very spectacular and full of bright vibrant colours.
Oda Nobunaga with his court
The Chrysanthemum Garden with lots of colours
Nobunaga's guards at the watch tower
Guards at the entrance to Lord Nobunaga's Palace
Lord Nobunaga with Nohime at Gifu Park
There are also several bonsai flower displays to see through-out the park.
Bonsai Display
Event Details:
Address: Omiya-cho, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture Admission: FREE Hours: The park is open 24 hours Show Period: Late October to Late November
October is the time for delicious autumn food and snacks and Mister Donut has joined the party with a new range of Hello Kitty Halloween Donuts. This is yet another collaboration between Mister Donut and Hello Kitty after they released a range of popular donuts back in April.
The special edition Hello Kitty Halloween Donuts come in either pumpkin or strawberry flavours. They include a Jack-o-lantern Hello Kitty Pumpkin, Jack-o-lantern Hello Kitty Strawberry, Strawberry Ghost Whipped Cream, Pumpkin Old Fashion, Pumpkin Whipped Cream French Cruller, and Pon de Pumpkin.
You can pick up a limited edition Hello Kitty special Halloween box set of seven donuts with a cute Hello Kitty stuffed toy in witches outfit for 1000 yen (USD$10) while stocks last.
Hello Kitty Special Halloween Box
The Hello Kitty Halloween Donuts went on sale on September 25 and will be available for a limited time in Japan.
Mister Donut Jack-o-lantern Hello Kitty Pumpkin
The Mister Donut Jack-o-lantern Hello Kitty Pumpkin (¥126) features a cute Hello Kitty style Jack-o-lantern face with Hello Kitty’s trade mark pink bow. The pink bow is made from white chocolate and is very tasty.
The Mister Donut Jack-o-lantern Hello Kitty Strawberry (¥126) features a cute Hello Kitty style Jack-o-lantern face with Hello Kitty’s trade mark pink bow. The donut is hard and crispy with a sweet strawberry topping.
Jack-o-lantern Hello Kitty Strawberry Donut
Mister Donut Ghost Whipped Cream
The Mister Donut Ghost Whipped Cream (¥147) is a light fluffy donut filled with whipped cream and coated with strawberry flavoured chocolate. This was out favourite of all the Halloween Hello Kitty donuts.
Ghost Whipped Cream Donut
Pumpkin Old Fashion
The Pumpkin Old Fashion (¥136) is an old fashioned style donut dipped in pumpkin chocolate and topped with sprinkles.
Pumpkin Old Fashion Donut
Pumpkin Whipped Cream French Cruller
The Pumpkin Whipped Cream French Cruller (¥147) contains pumpkin whipped cream and is coated in pumpkin chocolate and topped with coloured sprinkles. This one was the strongest pumpkin tasting donut out of the lot.
Pumpkin Whipped Cream French Cruller Donut
Pon de Pumpkin
The Pon de Pumpkin (¥136) is one of Mister Donut’s signature donuts with its chewy mochi like texture. It is coated with pumpkin chocolate and topped with coloured sprinkles.
Pon de Pumpkin Donut
Mister Donut Hello Kitty Halloween Donuts
Mister Donut Halloween Box
Check out my video below about the Hello Kitty Halloween Donuts on my YouTube Channel
Autumn is one of the best times of year in Japan for seasonal food and drink. Some of the seasonal delicacies include kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) kuri (chestnuts) and satsumaimo (sweet potato). During the summer Japan Australia wrote about some of the summer snacks that were available in Japan. Now it’s Autumn and time for those Autumn Halloween snacks that have been making an appearance. Every Halloween in Japan special versions of popular snacks are produced with jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches and wizards just some of the cute Halloween designs that can be found.
Some of our favourite Halloween Snacks have been:
Pumpkin Pudding Kit Kat
A special edition of Kit Kat just for Halloween. This one taste just like a sweet pudding with a hint of Japanese pumpkin.
Pumpkin Pudding Kit Kat
Pumpkin Pudding Kit Kat Close up
Angel Pie
Angel Pie is a popular Japanese snack that consists of two small round cakes with marshmallow filling all covered in chocolate. They remind me of the wagon wheels we have back in Australia.
Halloween Angel Pie
Koala no March Chocolate
A special Halloween version of Koala no March featuring our favourite Koala in cute Halloween costumes. These bite size koala shaped cookies have a sweet chocolate filling inside and are just so cute!
Halloween Koala no March
Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato
Two of our all-time favourite Japanese snacks taste just the same, but come in special Halloween packaging. Konoko no Yama literally means "mushroom mountain" and these snacks are mushroom shaped biscuits with a chocolate top. Takenoko no Sato literally means "bamboo shoot village" and these snacks look just like little bamboo shoots topped with chocolate.
Halloween Kinoko no Yama & Takenoko no Sato
Halloween Konoko no Yama
They look just like little mushrooms
Halloween Takenoko no Sato
Takenoko no Sato Chocolate
Toppo
Toppo is like a reverse Pocky! A biscuit stick with the topping on the inside. This is a special Halloween version of Toppo.
Halloween Toppo
Krispy Kreme Japan
Krispy Kreme released some Halloween donuts called Krispy Skremes! They include the Caramel Halloween Jack, Orange Chocolate Spider and Purple Potato Mont Blanc.
Krispy Skremes!
Caramel Halloween Jack
Orange Chocolate Spider
Purple Potato Mont Blanc
Which of these would you like to try? Please leave your answer in the comments below.
